Households that prepare several meals in advance
If you shop for a week or more, estimate separately how much room you need for fresh ingredients and frozen portions. How often you shop is one of the criteria highlighted by UFC-Que Choisir.
Who are these options for?
Households that keep lots of frozen food
If frozen food and ready meals take up a large part of your food stocks, look first at the capacity dedicated to freezing. UFC-Que Choisir notes that a small freezer compartment may not be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
Households with limited space
If the appliance needs to fit in an alcove or a separate room, check its dimensions, door clearance, ventilation requirements and climate class against the installation instructions before choosing its capacity.
What should you look at first?
Fridge-freezer
Choose this if: you want to keep fresh food and a regular stock of frozen food in one appliance.
Bear in mind: the split between the two compartments varies by model. A spacious fridge section does not guarantee enough room for your frozen portions.
Fridge with a small freezer compartment
Choose this if: your shopping is mostly fresh food and you keep only a few frozen items.
Bear in mind: UFC-Que Choisir points out that a small freezer compartment may not be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
Separate freezer
Choose this if: the meals you want to freeze or your bulk purchases regularly exceed the space available in a fridge-freezer.
Bear in mind: this means finding space for, installing and powering another appliance.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity split | Compare the usable fridge and freezer capacities separately, then match them to the food you usually store. For the fridge section, UFC-Que Choisir gives a guide of 100 to 150 L for one person, plus 50 L for each additional person. Freezer capacity should be worked out separately. | When I prepare meals for the week, I want room for both fresh ingredients and frozen portions. Around 42% of consumers would put this balance first. |
| Freezer capacity | Check the usable capacity of the freezer compartment and the space in its drawers. If you often freeze fresh food, also check which functions are listed for the specific model. | If I regularly freeze several portions or buy lots of frozen food, I don’t want to fill up a small compartment. Freezer capacity would come first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Installation | Measure the space and door clearance; check the instructions for ventilation clearances and climate class, especially if the appliance will be in a separate room. | If the appliance needs to fit in an alcove or a room where the temperature varies, I need to know whether it can be installed there before choosing a format. For around 25% of consumers, this would be the priority. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Going by total capacity alone
Two appliances with a similar total capacity may split the space differently between fresh and frozen food. You could end up short of room in the compartment you use most.
Check the usable capacity of both compartments separately on the product page or energy label, then compare it with the food you usually store.
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Relying on a small freezer compartment for lots of frozen meals
UFC-Que Choisir notes that a small freezer compartment may not be enough if you eat a lot of frozen food.
If you regularly freeze portions, compare the space available in a fridge-freezer with that of a separate freezer.
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Choosing the capacity before measuring the space
An appliance that meets your storage needs may not fit the alcove, door clearance or ventilation conditions.
Measure the space and check the installation instructions for the exact model rather than allowing for clearance specified for a different appliance.
If the space does not allow for the required clearances, you will need to consider another location or adjust the layout.
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Forgetting about spare parts and after-sales service
Whether you can have the appliance serviced depends in part on the availability of spare parts and the service terms for the model you choose.
Before buying, ask which parts are available, for how long and on what terms. Then keep a note of the model number and your proof of purchase.
Brands to consider when comparing formats
Bosch
The range includes freestanding and integrated fridge-freezers. Compare models individually, taking account of their capacity split and planned installation.
- For the KGN39EXCF, Bosch lists 260 L of fridge capacity and 103 L of freezer capacity: a useful example of a capacity split to compare with your food stocks.
- These capacities and installation requirements do not apply across the whole range. Check the product details and instructions for the model you choose.
Beko
The fridge-freezer range offers several capacities and, on some models, flexible storage options.
- Beko offers fridge-freezers designed for bulk shopping and storing prepared meals.
- The features highlighted by the brand vary by model. Compare the capacity of each compartment, the dimensions and the energy label for the specific product.
Electrolux
The fridge-freezer and separate freezer ranges let you compare both setups if you need substantial freezer space.
- Depending on the model, Electrolux offers fridge-freezers with dedicated storage areas and No Frost freezers.
- Check the instructions for your chosen model for installation requirements, climate class and the functions it actually includes.
Fridge-freezers for your weekly shop
These Joybuy models combine fridge and freezer space in one appliance. To choose between them, compare the stated capacity with the amount of fresh food and frozen portions you keep, then check that the model will fit in the space you have planned.
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Beko B5RCNE406HG, 355 L freestanding fridge-freezer
To keep fresh food and frozen items in one appliance, compare the space in each compartment with what you usually store.
Stated total capacity: 355 L. Total No Frost; energy rating C.
Check the dimensions and ventilation clearances in the instructions before installation.
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Bosch KGN497LDF, 440 L fridge-freezer
If you’re looking for a large-capacity fridge-freezer for your weekly shop, check how much space is set aside for freezing.
Stated total capacity: 440 L. Energy rating D.
Measure the space, check door clearance and allow for the clearances specified in the instructions.
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Samsung RF50C530EB1, 495 L multi-door fridge-freezer
This multi-door format is worth considering if you need to store a large amount of shopping and frozen portions, provided you have enough space for it.
Stated total capacity: 495 L. Energy rating E.
Check the overall dimensions, clearances and any installation requirements for this version in its instructions.
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Bosch KGN39VLEB, 368 L fridge-freezer
To store fresh and frozen food in a fridge-freezer, make sure the freezer section has enough room for the meals you prepare.
Stated total capacity: 368 L. Energy rating E.
Follow the model’s transport and installation instructions, especially those relating to its flammable R600a refrigerant.
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Heinrich´s, 253 L fridge-freezer
For a modest stock of food in one appliance, compare the 71 L freezer capacity in particular with the space your portions and frozen food take up.
182 L fridge capacity and 71 L freezer capacity; No Frost and stated noise level of 39 dB.
Before buying, check the technical details or instructions for the required width, depth and clearances.
Frequently asked questions
Two fridge-freezers have the same total capacity. How do I choose between them?
Compare their usable fridge and freezer capacities separately, then check the dimensions of each appliance. The European Commission lists the capacities of chilled and frozen compartments separately in its EPREL database, so similar total capacities can hide different splits.
Is a fridge-freezer enough for preparing several meals in advance?
A fridge-freezer may be enough if its freezer compartment can hold your portions while leaving room for the frozen food you usually keep. If freezing becomes your main priority and you need more capacity, consider a separate freezer and the space it will require.
What should I check before installing a large fridge-freezer?
Check the dimensions of the appliance and the space, door clearance, ventilation clearances and climate class in the model’s instructions. In its installation advice, Electrolux recommends waiting at least four hours before plugging in the appliance. Always follow the instructions for the specific model you have bought.
How can I compare energy use and prepare for future servicing?
Check the energy label for each model to compare the information on a like-for-like basis, then ask the retailer how long spare parts will be available for the model you’re interested in and on what terms. Keep a note of the model number and your proof of purchase to make any future service request easier.